Pedro Martinez's next start for Mets delayed after cortisone shot

CINCINNATI -- Pedro Martinez did not accompany the team to Ohio for last night's game with the Reds. Instead, he was receiving a cortisone injection in his right hip.

That should help to alleviate the pain in his strained right groin, which was one of the reasons Martinez had to leave his previous start last Saturday. Because Martinez had trouble striding, he had to overcompensate with his arm. By the fourth inning, Martinez's right shoulder locked up and the Mets removed him for precautionary reasons.

Still, cortisone shots are not routine procedures. Martinez will be unable to perform baseball activity until tomorrow afternoon, when the Mets have him scheduled to throw in the bullpen here at Great American Ball Park. Originally, the plan was for Martinez to start the series finale on Sunday. Now that start will go to Mike Pelfrey, which pushes Martinez back to Tuesday.

Injuries have shaken the Mets to the core this season. Moises Alou is likely out for the season. Ryan Church has dealt with two concussions, along with the fallout. Should anything serious arise out of Martinez's latest ailment, the Mets will need to find a replacement for the three-time Cy Young winner in the rotation.

Could the solution come in the form of the much older and more injury-prone Orlando Hernandez? Well, Hernandez had to leave his rehab start last night after just one inning. Pitching for Double-A Binghamton, Hernandez reaggravated an injury to his right foot. He allowed two runs on two hits in his brief outing.

Luis Castillo (hip flexor) reported to Port St. Lucie, where he'll begin playing in rehab games soon. The Mets like their second base situation of Damion Easley and Argenis Reyes, so they are in no rush for Castillo to return to the lineup.

Disconcerting injury news continued to work its way down the Mets roster.

Outfielder Angel Pagan left a rehab game Wednesday night at Class-A Brooklyn in the third inning after reaggravating his left shoulder. Pagan, placed on the DL May 13 with a shoulder contusion, was supposed to be here at Great American Ball Park last night to rejoin the Mets. Now, his status is up in the air.

Billy Wagner took in the sights at the White House on Wednesday, but admitted to some exhaustion from the whole ordeal. President Bush, of whom Wagner is a friend of the family, had invited the closer to a cocktail function.

Braves pitcher John Smoltz, Orioles infielder Kevin Millar and Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers joined Wagner. Also at the event was country music star Kenny Chesney.

"The history was the best part," Wagner said. "I didn't know every First Lady changes every room."

After the event, Wagner flew home to Connecticut before catching a flight to Ohio yesterday.

While some players took vacations during the break, Jose Reyes had better ideas of what to do with his time. He got a new tattoo. The intricate design -- a spider web that covers his entire left elbow -- took over an hour and 20 minutes to complete at a New York-area tattoo parlor. And since it covered a joint, Reyes said the pain was considerable.

Manuel could only shake his head at the thought of David Wright pitching an inning at the All-Star Game. The third baseman was set to go, but the American League scored the game-winning run off Phillies closer Brad Lidge in the 15th inning.

Wagner said he preferred that Wright didn't, because if he would have done something like strike out the side, the radio waves would light up with speculation that the Mets have a better closer on their roster.